While the rest of the world turns their thoughts to Christmas, my thoughts have turned to real estate. Yes, real estate. The majority of my job hunting has lead me to interviews outside of Utah and all around the country. Which means the very strong possibility of moving away from this home and life I love so much. I'm putting a lot of faith and trust in the Lord that leaving Utah may be the right thing to do at what feels like the wrong time to do it.
During my house hunting process I have discovered something odd about myself. This time last year I lived in a one bed, one bath, 800 sq ft apartment. My two luxuries were the gas fireplace (which rarely worked) and the washer and dryer in the apartment. When my lease was up, and my job situation changed, and my priorities included having a second bedroom for a foster child, and an office space for my work from home needs, I looked to find a bigger place. Now, as I look far and wide at the various housing markets (and oh how they differ) I find myself not looking for a simple apartment in a nice neighborhood, but more at 2,000 sq ft homes, with fences, gated communities or golf courses. And nothing less than 3 bedrooms obviously. Because how could I expect to survive in something smaller than that?
And I wonder, when did I become a housing snob? Could I go back to small apartment living if it meant more pocket money for buying fun things and traveling more? I just don't know. And quite frankly, I don't care. I want my home to be my castle. Is that so wrong?
So my friends, I turn to you. What are your priorities in a home? What do you have to have? Which amenities? What perks? Garden tub? Golf course access? Freeway access? Short commute? Square footage? Resell value (have to admit, i don't care about that. i'm buying for me, not the person after me)? Island in the kitchen? Stainless appliances? Good schools (another thing i don't care in the least about)?
Tell me!
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ReplyDeleteI agree with Anonymous! Plus, access to sunshine and close to an airport. Right now I have a condo and wish I had a yard and a garage.
ReplyDeleteHappy House Hunting! There will be plenty of homes to choose from this year.
My motto is "the more stuff you own, the more it owns you." Give me a studio apartment that I barely have to clean anyday. Apartment complexes usually have high speed internet, gyms and pools.
ReplyDeleteHmm,
ReplyDeleteAs a single woman when I went looking to buy my first home I thought I wanted a house. But then I fell in love with a condo in a gated community with a guards at the gate and a roving guard, Which may be a false sense of security, but one I enjoy and has helped get the area's value from dropping as drastically as other areas. The only downside is I have to pay a monthly association fee in addition to my mortgage.
I have a single car attached garage. Two bedrooms and two baths, a large kitchen, and a washer and dryer. Not to mention a lovely balcony and I open my front door to a huge and beautifully maintained grassy area with plants and trees, that I can enjoy anytime I want, but I don't have to lift a finger to maintain. The best part being I live in a community that is full of either single working people like myself or older retired couples.
And while I agree with Melinda that "the more stuff you own, the more it owns you."- Moving was much easier when I lived in an apartment and didn't really settle into it. The flip side of it is now I have been in my place for five years, the longest I have ever lived anywhere, and I can't imagine moving. My home truly is my castle and safe haven from the world. There is no place I would rather be.
Good luck and I'll end with what my realtor told me when I was looking for a place, which I think is applicable when renting as well, when you walk into the right place for you, you'll know. It will speak to your soul. I'm excited for you!
I have to say resale value. Look into which schools are good, buy in the best district, get a fenced yard, and do some gardening. You might not be thinking of 5 years down the road, but in your industry you tend to and have to move to stay where the action is. (And I mean you personally, not "you" in the general sense.)
ReplyDeleteIf you want 3 bedrooms, it's likely when you sell that families will be looking at your house and you need to appeal to them just as much as yourself in the end.